Braden Holtby

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 68
Successes: 14
Percentage: 20%

Braden Holtby

Currently with the Hershey Bears (AHL).

Fan letter sent: October 31, 2011.

Autographs received: November 19, 2011.

Braden Holtby playedin 14 games for the Washington Capitals last season. He is currently in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. Holtby signed both cards sent in black Sharpie marker.

Check out this enthusiastic celebration by Holtby, who made the last save in the shootout to help the Hershey Bears beat the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Apparently, the Baby Pens were pissed by Holtby's "air guitar."

Pete MacArthur

Pete MacArthur

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 68
Successes: 13
Percentage: 19%

Currently with the Los Vegas Wranglers (ECHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autograph received: November 19, 2011.

On November 19, I got back 2 returns from 2 members of the Las Vegas Wranglers--goalie Joe Fallon and winger Pete MacArthur.

MacArthur signed my card in black Sharpie marker.

Joe Fallon

Joe Fallon

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 68
Successes: 12
Percentage: 17%

Currently with the Los Vegas Wranglers (ECHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autograph received: November 19, 2011.

Goaltender Joe Fallon has split the past 3 seasons between playing in the AHL and in the ECHL. He was with the Rockford Icehogs--the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks--for a while, but I think he's currently under contract with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL.

Fallon autographed my card in silver Sharpie marker.

Tim Kerr

Tim Kerr

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Pulled from a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions on November 5, 2011.

Tim Kerr played 13 seasons in the NHL--11 with the Philadelphia Flyers, 1 with the New York Rangers and 1 with the Hartford Whalers.

Kerr was also claimed by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 expansion draft, but then traded right away to the Rangers. I wonder why the Sharks traded away Kerr so quickly; he scored 50 or more goals in 4 consecutive seasons, and would have been a top-line player for the Sharks.

I got this card in a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions hockey cards. It is signed in blue Sharpie marker.

Brent Sutter

Brent Sutter

Retired player. Currently the Head Coach of the Calgary Flames.

Signed insert card.

Pulled from a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions on November 5, 2011.

Brent Sutter played in the NHL from 1981 to 1998 with the New York Islanders (10 1/2 seasons) and the Chicago Blackhawks (6 1/2 seasons). Now, he's the head coach of the Calgary Flames.

I got this card in a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions hockey cards. It is signed in blue Sharpie marker.

Mark Howe

Mark Howe

Retired player. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Signed insert card.

Pulled from a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions on November 5, 2011.

Mark Howe is one of the four players who was inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame this fall. He played 6 seasons in the World Hockey Association and an additional 15 seasons in the National Hockey League.

I got this card in a pack of 2011-12 Parkhurst Champions hockey cards. It is signed in blue Sharpie marker.

Andrew Brunette

Andrew Brunette

Currently with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

This is the final card that Casey (Drop the Gloves) gave me for coming in second in his blog's contest.

Andrew Brunette has played in the NHL since 1995. He is presently with the Chicago Blackhawks, and also played for the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers, Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals.

Tommy Albelin

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 68
Successes: 11
Percentage: 16%

Tommy Albelin

Retired player. Currently the Assistant Coach of the Albany Devils (AHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autographs received: November 17, 2011.

Tommy Albelin played 19 seasons in the NHL. He played most of his career with the New Jersey Devils, but also played 5 years with the Calgary Flames. Now, he's an assistant coach with the Albany Devils of the AHL.

Albelin kindly signed all 5 of my cards in black Sharpie marker. Unfortunately, I forgot to send him a 1990-91 Pro Set card. Doh! I would have sent that instead of the Upper Deck card you see above. Oh well, my bad. Overall, a great return from a longtime NHLer.

Bracken Kearns

Bracken Kearns

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 68
Successes: 10
Percentage: 14%

Currently with the San Antonio Rampage (AHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autograph received: November 18, 2011.

After 6 seasons in the minors (AHL and ECHL), Bracken Kearns finally made his NHL debut this year with the Florida Panthers. He is currently with their top affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

Kearns signed my card in black Sharpie marker. He also included this note, written on half an index card:

Carter Hutton

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 66
Successes: 9
Percentage: 13%

Carter Hutton

Currently with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autographs received: November 17, 2011.

Carter Hutton served as a backup for the San Jose Sharks for several games last season. This season, he was signed to a minor-league contract by the Chicago Blackhawks, and has played for the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) and the Rockford Icehogs (AHL).

Hutton signed 2 cards for me in black Sharpie marker. I sent a Panini Score All-Goalies card and a Donruss Rated Rookies card, but I ended up with a Between the Pipes card in place of my Donruss card. As it turns out, Hutton accidentally swapped my cards with those of fellow TTM autograph collector JohnWayne.

Peter Sidorkiewicz

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 66
Successes: 8
Percentage: 12%

Peter Sidorkiewicz

Retired player. Currently the Assistant Coach of the Erie Otters (OHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autographs received: November 17, 2011.

Peter Sidorkiewicz played in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers, Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils. In his one season with Ottawa (1992-93), he played in the NHL All-Star Game.

Sidorkiewicz--or P-Dork, as I liked to call him "back in the day--nicely signed my 4 cards in black Sharpie marker. This is my 3rd success when writing to him; he also signed my cards during a TTM request from the 1990s, as well as one sent to him in 2008.

Sal's Hockey Autographs is 5 years old

On November 20, 2006, I thought I'd try to maintain a blog for a year.

Well, 5 years later and I'm still at it.

Here's looking forward to the next 5 years.

- Sal

Michael Frolik

Michael Frolik

Currently with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Signed insert card.

Purchased at a card shop on November 5, 2011.

For some reason, I just had to have this card when I saw it in a card shop last weekend. Frolik has had a decent season with the Chicago Blackhawks this year, and I figured it would be nice to have his rookie card in my collection. As you can see, this SP Authentic card from 2008-09 is signed in blue Sharpie marker.

Chris Herperger

Chris Herperger

Currently with the Hannover Scorpions (DEL).

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

Chris Herperger played in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Atlanta Thrashers.

Thanks to Casey (Drop the Gloves) for giving me this card.

Maxim Afinogenov

Maxim Afinogenov

Currently with St. Petersburg SKA (KHL)

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

After a 10 year career in the NHL, Maxim Afinogenov returned to his native Russia to play in the Kontinential Hockey League. Like the other Be A Player autographs from the 2002-03 set, this card is signed in black Sharpie marker.

Thanks to Casey (Drop the Gloves) for giving me this card.

Epsen Knutsen

Epsen Knutsen

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

Epsen Knutsen played a few seasons in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Most of his pro career, however, was spent with Djurgardens IF Stockholm in the Swedish Elite League.

Thanks to Casey (Drop the Gloves) for giving me this card.

Steve Eminger

Steve Eminger

Currently with the New York Rangers.

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

Steve Eminger is becoming quite the journeyman. Since 2002, he has played for the Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers. He also played for the Portland Pirates (AHL). That's 7 teams in 9 years.

Thanks to Casey (Drop the Gloves) for giving me this card.

Wendell Young

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 61
Successes: 7
Percentage: 11%

Wendell Young

Retired player. Currently the General Manager of the Chicago Wolves (AHL).

Fan letter sent: October 31, 2011.

Autographs received: November 12, 2011.

Wendell Young played in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was with the Penguins when they won the Stanley Cup in 1990-91 and 1991-92.

Young also played 7 seasons for the minor-league Chicago Wolves, and was the first player to have his number retired by the Wolves. He is now the team's General Manager.

Another interesting fact about Young is that he is the only hockey player to win the Stanley Cup, Turner Cup, Calder Cup and Memorial Cup.

Young signed all 4 of my cards in black Sharpie marker. The lower left card might look familiar to you, as I got it signed by Todd Nelson last month.

Mike Brennan

Mike Brennan

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 61
Successes: 6
Percentage: 10%

Currently with the Lake Erie Monsters (AHL).

Fan letter sent: November 5, 2011.

Autograph received: November 12, 2011.

After a 4-year career in college hockey with Boston College, defenseman Mike Brennan has played in the AHL. He was with the Rockford Icehogs for 2 seasons, and then played for the Toronto Marlies. He's currently with the Lake Erie Monsters.

Brennan nicely signed my card in blue Sharpie marker. He also added 3, which is his current number with the Monsters (he wore 5 with the Icehogs).

Daniel Tjarnqvist

Daniel Tjärnqvist

Currently with Djurgardens IF Stockholm (Elitserien).

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

Daniel Tjärnqvist played in the NHL from 2001 to 2009. He suited up for the Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche. He is currently playing in the Swedish Elite League (Elitserien).

Thanks to Casey (Drop the Gloves) for giving me this card.

RTS - Rockford Icehogs

Rockford Icehogs

Fan letters sent: November 5, 2011.

RTS Received: November 12, 2011

Apparently, the Rockford Icehogs (AHL) have a new mailing address, as three of my letters to the team came back marked "RETURN TO SENDER".

I looked at the team's website, and indeed their mailing address is new:

Rockford IceHogs
300 Elm Street
Rockford, IL 61101

I will re-send my three letters to the above address. I have also updated the Icehog's address on the AHL Team Address page.

Sergei Varlamov

Sergei Varlomov (Сергі́й Володи́мирович Варла́мов)

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Purchased from a card shop in September 2011.

Sergei Varlomov is a Ukranian hockey player who played briefly in the NHL with the Calgary Flames and the St. Louis Blues. Since the lockout, he has played in Russia--most recently last year with Minsk Dynamo.

This card is from the over-sized (5" x 7") Pinnacle Beehive set issued in 1997-98. The signature is on-card in black marker. Also note that Varlomov signed his name in Cyrillic.

Jason Bowen

Jason Bowen

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Purchased from a card shop in September 2011.

Classic Four Sport was one of those trading card sets I avoided. Sure, I love hockey cards--but getting football, baseball and basketball cards within the same pack was enough of a deterrent to keep me away from Four Sport. One alluring feature of the brand were limited-edition cards autographed by high draft picks.

Jason Bowen was selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1992. He played a total of 77 games in the NHL--73 with Philly and another 4 with the Edmonton Oilers. He did have a long professional hockey career, though, playing in various leagues from 1993 to 2006.

This card is signed in thin blue marker and numbered 749/2075. I don't know the significance of 2075--why not just have it limited to an even 2000?--but at least these oldschool inserts are all signed on-card.

Bobby Sanguinetti

Bobby Sanguinetti

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 61
Successes: 5
Percentage: 8%

Currently with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL).

Fan letter sent: October 24, 2011.

Autograph received: November 7, 2011.

Bobby Sanguinetti played 5 games for the New York Rangers during the 2009-10 season. He has also played for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, and is currently in the "A" with the Charlotte Checkers.

Sanguinetti signed my card in black Sharpie marker, and added 54--his number with the Rangers. This is my second autograph from him--he also signed an AHL Top Prospects card for me last season.

Tommy Wingels

Tommy Wingels

Currently with the Worcester Sharks (AHL).

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

This is another card that Casey (Drop the Gloves) gave to me. It is signed on-card in blue Sharpie marker.

I don't know much about Tommy Wingels. So far, he's split this season between the San Jose Sharks and their minor league team in Worcester.

Thomas McCollum

2011-12 TTM Stats
Letters sent: 42
Successes: 4
Percentage: 9%

Thomas McCullum

Currently with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).

Fan letter sent: October 12, 2011.

Autographs received: November 4, 2011.

Thomas McCollum played in 1game for the Detroit Red Wings last season, which was good enough to include him in some hockey sets released late last year.

I purchased an extra set of All Goalies and an extra set of Score Rookie and Traded just to have extras to get autographed. McCollum is the first player to sign my cards from these sets. He used a thin black marker and has a very nice autograph--a signature you would expect from an oldschool guy like Johnny Bower, not and up and coming prospect (who usually just scribble some gibberish).

Scott Lachance

Scott Lachance

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

Casey (Drop the Gloves) gave me this card as part of a prize package that I won, and it is much appreciated. Scott Lachance was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team, then went on to play 12 1/2 seasons in the NHL. Most of Lachance's career was spent with the New York Islanders, but he also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets.

This card is from the 1998-99 Be A Player set. There were 300 autographed cards, and I have almost half of them now. Thanks to Casey for bringing me one card closer.

Mark Pavelich

Mark Pavelich

Retired player. Member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.

Signed insert card.

Won in an online contest.

After winning an Olympic gold medal in 1980, Pavelich played roughly 6 seasons in the NHL (1981-1987). He came out of retirement briefly in 1991 to play for the San Jose Sharks, but retired after 2 games.

This card is signed in blue Sharpie marker and numbered 605 out of 2,000. I won it at a contest at a hockey card blog called Drop the Gloves. I also won several other signed cards, which you will see featured here throughout the next couple of weeks.

Igor Korolev

Igor Korolev

Deceased player. 

Signed insert card.

Purchased from a card shop on September 30, 2011.

Igor Korolev played in 795 NHL games. He died in the tragic plane crash that killed the entire Yaroslavl Lokomotiv hockey team on September 7, 2011--one day after his 41st birthday. He was an assistant coach for the team.

Nathan Gerbe

Nathan Gerbe

378 Days
Round Trip!!!

Currently with the Buffalo Sabres.

Fan letter sent: October 18, 2010..

Autograph received: November 1, 2011.

This is my 4th return within the past 8 days. It's an autograph a year in the making! I wrote to Nathan Gerbe at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, and got back this card at the beginning of the 2011-12 season. He signed my AHL Top Prospects card in black Sharpie marker.

Felix Potvin

Felix Potvin

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Purchased from a card shop on September 30, 2011.

Besides having a too-obvious nickname, Felix "The Cat" Potvin was a darn good goaltender in the 1990s. He is best known for his 6+ seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also had some success with the Los Angeles Kings in the early 2000s.

Potvin stopped playing after the 2003-04 season, and I always wondered why. I think he could have played into his early 40s.

Adam Graves

Adam Graves

Retired player.

Signed insert card.

Purchased from a card shop on September 30, 2011.

Adam Graves played in the NHL for 15 seasons. He is best known as a member of the New York Rangers, with whom he won a Stanley Cup Championship in 1994. He also won a Stanley Cup while with the Oilers in 1990, when he skated on Edmonton's "Kid Line" with Martin Gelinas and Joe Murphy.